Invented by William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828) in 1807, it was used to measure the angles between the plane surfaces of crystals or as a spectrometer to measure the dispersion of light through a prism.
Wollaston had the ingenious idea of using crystal faces as mirrors to measure the angles between them – a precursor to the modern diffractometer. A crystal remains mounted to this example.
![img_15-5.jpg](https://gazette-eu-west2.azureedge.net/media/102048/img_15-5.jpg?width=700&height=500&mode=max&updated=04%2f15%2f2024+07%3a47%3a06)
Reflecting goniometer, £2700 at Halifax Mill Auctioneers.
The base is engraved with the maker’s address of 30 Strand, dating it to the period 1876-90.
![img_15-6.jpg](https://gazette-eu-west2.azureedge.net/media/102049/img_15-6.jpg?width=700&height=500&mode=max&updated=04%2f15%2f2024+07%3a47%3a02)
Reflecting goniometer, £2700 at Halifax Mill Auctioneers.
It came for sale at Halifax Mill Auctioneers (21% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in West Yorkshire on March 10 with a vague catalogue description and a guide of just £30-60.
Knowledgeable enthusiasts found it online and it was bid to £2700.